The Oakwood Lumberjacks hosted the Eaton Eagles at Mack Hummon Stadium on Friday night. The game was billed as the Game of the Week by WDTN. The Jacks, coming off a huge win over Valley View, were poised for another upset. The Eagles, following a loss to powerhouse Brookville, were looking to get back into the SWBL title hunt.

Conner Charbat sweeps down field.

David Miller kicked off to begin the contest. Jason Elking made the stop and the Eagles were in business. While power has been a problem in the Oakwood community following last week’s storms, the Eagles brought a supply of their own. Using a mix of hard running and pinpoint passing, the Eagles drove the length of the field for a quick score and a 7 – 0 lead.

The Jacks, seemingly one dimensional, were unable to move the ball. Damian Rudy launched a booming punt and the Eagles were back in business. Eaton drove again on the Jacks, scoring easily.

The Jacks, down 14 – 0, put a nice mix together. The running of Tony Lamb, John Whalen and Robby Sherk drove past midfield. Sherk then rolled left and found Will Garner for a 42 yard TD strike. Miller booted the ball onto Dellwood Avenue and the Jacks trailed 14 – 7 in the 2nd quarter. The Eagles drove int Oakwood territory again. Plays by Joe Lefforge, Justin McCauley and Ben Raichle stopped the drive inside the Lumberjack 5. The Eagles drive resulted in a field goal increasing the lead to 17 – 7 as the half came to an end.

The Jacks, behind at halftime as they were against Valley View, showed what heart is all about. Connor Charbat broke loose for a 50 gain on a sweep. Sherk capped off the drive with a one yard plunge behind the blocking of Lefforge and Tucker Jones. Miller’s kick brought the Jacks within 3, 17 – 14.

Big hits by Sherk, Lefforge and Lamb forced the Eagles to punt. Lamb, held to mostly short gains in the first half, busted free and went 46 yards to paydirt. Miller’s kick gave the Jacks their first lead, 21 – 17. Blocks by Ryan Dempsey and Greg Ambrose open the hole in the defense.

The Eagles showed great poise and the Lumberjack pass defense pulled a disappearing act. The Eagle scored quickly and regained the lead, 24 – 21. The Jacks went back to work. A long drive was capped off by Lamb’s 30 yard scamper and the Jacks had the lead again, 28 – 24. The Jacks defense collapsed once again and Eaton scored on a 49 yard dive play. Eaton had the lead in the topsy-turvy affair once again.

Trailing 31–28 late in the final quarter, the Jacks needed to score to win. Key runs by Sherk and Lamb drove the ball past midfield as the clock kept ticking. Robby took off to the right side and was leveled by an Eaton defender. Matt Carpenter was forced off the bench in a crucial situation. Carpenter dropped back to pass and under pressure he delivered a high pass over Garner. Game over? Nope, pass interference was called and the Jacks remained alive. Sherk re-entered the contest with determination.

Runs by Sherk, Lamb, and Charbat took the ball to the one with less than a minute to play. Sherk was stopped on 3rd and goal and Coach Stone had a tough decision. Kick the field goal and go to overtime or take a shot at the win. Coach Stone chose to put the game on the line with his senior connection. Sherk followed the block of Lefforge and drove into the end zone and the Jacks took a 35 -31 lead with seconds left. Oakwood covered the kick off and game out with a hard fought victory.

What a game!!! Two exciting contests in a row with the Jacks coming out on top. Oakwood travels to Brookville on Friday for a game that could decide the league title. GO JACKS!!!

A tough match ensued for both teams as Oakwood wins three out of five courts at Thomas Cloud Park. Junior Tiff-Tiff Corbean held strong in third singles winning 6-4, 6-4. Senior Ellie Rodebeck and junior Hilary Paisley playing first doubles
dominated the first set winning 6-2 and stayed focus in the second set winning 6-4.

Second doubles players, senior Kate Berthy and junior Kysenia Mikityanskaya came from behind in the first set to win in the tie break 7-6 (7-3) and continued the momentum to win the second set 6-2. Freshmen Anne Connolly and Christina Corbean played determined matches against stellar CJ players at first and second singles, respectively. Kim Gilbert coaches the varsity team and they have a 9-2 record.

Windstorm Ike leaves mark on community

Smith School teachers took on extra duty Monday, when School Principal Nance Bradds and a company of 16 or so teachers found themselves directing traffic at the Smith School intersection on Far Hills Avenue and Aberdeen Avenue where the traffic lights are still out (as of this report Monday). Only a stop sign placed at the corner of the intersection advised drivers to stop. This caused extra concern for the safe crossing of the kid-dies walking to school. Kudos to the teachers.

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Wright Library stayed opened from 6 to 10 p.m. Monday night, especially for students to do their homework and for anyone who might need to charge their cell phones. At the request of Ann Snively, library director, several Oakwood Rotarians have volunteered to provide extra adult supervision.

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L’Auberge is back in business after Ike’s wrath destroyed their outdoor café, awnings and grill; downed trees left severe roof damage; and after a walk-in cooler of meat, seafood, produce and other delicacies had to be tossed. “It was a total nightmare,” owner Josef Reif said. Parties were cancelled, dates changed, food deliveries cancelled. Thankfully, everything is back to normal.